Cystitis in Dogs

What is cystitis? The term "cystitis" literally means inflammation of the urinary bladder. This term is rather general and applies to any disease that inflames the urinary bladder.

Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs

What is diabetes mellitus? There are two forms of diabetes in dogs: diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus. Diabetes insipidus is a very rare disorder that results in failure to regulate body water content. Your dog has the more common type of diabetes: diabetes mellitus.

Emergencies and First Aid for Dogs

What kinds of emergencies might occur? There are many possible emergencies from automobile injury, to acute internal problems such as an intestinal blockage, but the following are the most serious and require immediate attention:

Grief Management in Children

The death of a cherished pet creates a sense of loss for adults and produces a predictable chain of emotions. The stages of grief are typically denial, sadness, depression, guilt, anger, and finally, relief (or recovery).

Infectious Hepatitis in Dogs

What is canine infectious hepatitis? The term “hepatitis” means inflammation of the liver. Canine infectious hepatitis is a specific disease of the liver that is caused by a virus of the Adenovirus family.

Hypothyroidism in Dogs

What is the thyroid gland, and what does it do? The thyroid gland is one of the most important glands in the body. It is located in the neck near the trachea and is composed of two lobes, one on each side of the trachea (windpipe).

Kennel Cough in Dogs

What is kennel cough? Kennel Cough is more technically known as Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis. This term localizes the most common clinical sign, coughing, to the trachea (wind pipe) and bronchi (within the lungs). It may be caused by several viruses and bacteria.

Anemia in Dogs

What does it mean to be anemic? Anemia is a reduced number of red blood cells or hemoglobin or both. It is not a specific disease but the result of some disease process.

Luxating Patella in Dogs

What is a luxating patella? The patella, or knee cap, should be located in the center of the knee joint. The term "luxating" means out of place or dislocated. Therefore, a luxating patella is a knee cap that moves out of its normal location.

Bloat (Gastric Dilatation / Volvulus) in Dogs

What is meant by the term "Canine Bloat"? This is a term that is synonymous with the more scientific term "Gastric Dilatation/Volvulus." It is often called GDV.